The no. 1 question I get asked is a question that can’t be answered. That question is, “How much do you think we can raise in a capital campaign.” The honest truthful answer is no one knows until all the pledge cards are in months from when you are asking the...

If you are about to enter into a capital campaign I want to share with you 5 reasons why you should lower your expectations. Forever stewardship firms and even banks and builders have told churches that the average they could raise in a capital campaign was between 1 1/2 and 3...

The reason why The Charis Group is different is that we understand that because we face changing times we must change our philosophy. I did not start this company to be different. I started The Charis Group to be more EFFECTIVE in helping churches maximize their potential. The...

f your next campaign is going to be successful you need to understand the new trends in capital campaigns. Whether we like it or not the times have changed. Now, as a result of the past recession and the slow recovery capital campaign results are dramatically different than a...

One of the big questions we run up against is the church debt question. Is it biblical for a church to have a debt? With the rise of Dave Ramsey’s programs many churches are now facing this question than ever before. While I love the emphasis on wiping out personal debt...

Programs don’t raise dollars so why would you buy one? When it comes to capital campaigns that is what most companies sell you, a program. They essentially have a few models that they show you. They lead you to choose one and then erase the name of the last church and...

If you are thinking about a capital stewardship campaign you need to know that the 1 ½ to 3 times line of what you can raise is a misrepresentation. I know that is strong but it is the truth. What is the line about raising 1 ½ to 3 times? For years stewardship firms sales guys...

Even if your next capital campaign is far into the future you need to build your base now to raise capital dollars later. As we always say, “Take a snap shot picture of your current donor base and that is who you have to work with in terms of your capital campaign. 90% or...

To have a successful capital stewardship campaign you must know the difference between fund raising vs. faith raising! A few years ago I had dinner with a longtime friend whom I had not seen since leaving the pastorate to work in Capital Stewardship Campaigns. Over dinner he...

Should the Internet Change Your Preaching? Should the Internet Change Your Preaching? Just asking that question might get me excommunicated among some circles! However new research is showing that while a minister is preaching his congregation is using their tablets and...